Carolina Business Review

To help underperforming schools we first need to change the way we define them. North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt explains why the current system isn’t a fair way to evaluate what our students need. She also says we don't have enough young people interested in education and the way we attract and compensate teachers needs to change.

High Point University bills itself as “The Premier Life Skills University,” but what exactly does that mean? HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein explains how his school’s approach to higher education prepares young people for success. He also pushes back against critics who say HPU is too posh. Dr. Qubein says his graduates are uniquely qualified to compete on the global stage.

We gathered our panel of insiders again for their vision on what's happening in businesses across the Carolinas. In this episode, we talk about distrust. It is now society’s default emotion. That’s what the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer found. How did we get here? And what can we do to get back to a place where we can give each other the benefit of the doubt? Panelists: Christopher Chung, CEO, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Sara Fawcett, President and CEO, United Way of the Midlands Susie Shannon, President and CEO, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness Donald Thompson, CEO and Founder, The Diversity Movement

We’ve gathered together our panel of insiders, leaders who know what’s happening in businesses across the Carolinas and who have insight on what’s coming down the pipeline. In this episode, we talk about child care issues keeping a big chunk of the workforce sitting on the sidelines. Why aren’t business leaders and politicians paying more attention to it? Also, the impact of inflation on giving. And, if there is a recession, could the Carolinas be protected from the worst of it? Panelists: Christopher Chung, CEO, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Sara Fawcett, President and CEO, United Way of the Midlands Susie Shannon, President and CEO, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness Donald Thompson, CEO and Founder, The Diversity Movement

North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley says the state is leaving $8 billion on the table by not expanding Medicaid. Is this the year it will finally get done? Also, the lessons learned from COVID-19 and the mental health crisis in our justice system.

Are we in a recession? Tom Barkin, the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond says no. He says the actions that companies are taking do not indicate a recession is imminent. Barkin also takes a deep dive into how we reached this housing market and where we go from here. We spoke with Mr. Barkin before the blackout period when Federal Reserve staff does not speak publicly.

We asked our panel of economists what they predict for 2023. They agree the job market will get even tighter, the housing market will get increasingly difficult but they have different bottom line predictions on whether we will go into a recession.

The competition for skilled workers is fierce. Where are we going to find all of the talented people companies need to fill critical positions? The solution is part recruiting, part training, and South Carolina's Technical College System is a big part of it. Panelists: Brian Etheridge, President, Leadership North Carolina Carlos Phillips, President and CEO, Greenville Chamber of Commerce

North Carolina Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette joined us for a candid conversation about projects in the works, shifting priorities and why there's always a line at the DMV. Panelists: Patrick Woodie, President, NC Rural Center James McQuilla, President, Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce

Both North Carolina and South Carolina scored some major wins in 2022, with big companies announcing big investments in the states. In this episode, we discuss what’s attracting businesses to come here and what we are doing to make sure we have the workforce to support them. Our panelists are Bob Morgan, President and CEO, SC Chamber of Commerce and Gary Salamido, President and CEO, NC Chamber of Commerce. Other topics include: designing the workforce of the future, mental health and what’s on the horizon for 2023.

Whether or not we call it a recession, many Americans are certainly financially stressed due to sky high inflation. We gathered a panel of economists to talk through what’s happening and what’s coming down the pipeline. In this episode of Carolina Business Review, our panel weighs in on the learning loss our children suffered during the pandemic and what school districts can do about it. Panelists Dr. Nicholas J. Hill, Dean and Professor of Economics, School of Business, Claflin University Dr. Laura Ullrich, Senior Regional Economist, The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Dr. Joseph C. Von Nessen, Research Economist, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina Dr. John Connaughton, Professor of Financial Economics, Belk College of Business, UNC Charlotte

Charlotte-based AvidXChange has good timing. The software company went public just before the economy turned and it turns out, inflation actually is good for their business. In this episode of Carolina Business Review, Co-Founder and CEO Michael Praeger talks about the three things that worry him. We also talked to Praeger about how his company recruits in this tight labor market. Panelists: Karen Riordan, President and CEO, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Thom Ruhe, President and CEO, NC IDEA Foundation

There’s a lot at stake in the upcoming midterm elections. Voters in North Carolina and South Carolina will play a big role in which party is in control of Congress with seats in the Senate and the House up for grabs. Our panel of political insiders talk about the impact early and absentee voting could have on the outcome, the issues that will draw voters to the polls, a possible October surprise and the rising number of voters who are unaffiliated with a political party. Panelists: Anna Beavon Gravely, Executive Director, NCFREE Andy Shain, Columbia/Myrtle Beach Managing Editor, Post and Courier Dr. Susan Roberts, Professor of Political Science, Davidson College Antjuan Seawright, Founder, CEO, Blueprint Strategy

Manufacturing is a critical part of the economy in the Carolinas. So how is inflation impacting the industry? We asked Jay Timmons, the President and CEO of the National Associations of Manufacturers in this episode of Carolina Business Review. Timmons weighs in on the Federal CHIPS and Science Act, talks about inflation, supply chain, labor challenges, and staying competitive.

Whether we call it a recession or not, many Americans are certainly financially stressed due to sky high inflation. For this episode, we gathered a panel of economists to talk through what's happening and what's coming down the pipeline. They weigh in on whether companies in cities like Charlotte will ever get employees back into the office. Also, why aren't school districts addressing the serious learning loss our children suffered during the pandemic? Our panel says money is not the issue. Panelists: Nicholas J. Hill, PhD, (Dean) Professor of Economics, School of Business, Claflin University Laura Ulrich, PhD, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D., Research Economist, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina John Connaughton, Ph.D., Professor of Financial Economics, Belk College of Business, UNC Charlotte

Should the government cancel some student loan debt? That’s been a hot topic since President Biden announced his proposal to forgive up to $20,000 for people who meet certain criteria. UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz says something needs to be done, but there are many unanswered questions. Other topics include: inflation and how universities balance a diversity of viewpoints. Panelists: Sarah House, Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Terik Tidwell, Director of Inclusive Innovation, VentureWell, NC IDEA's Black Entrepreneurship Council

Covid-19 has been devastating but UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks says it has also pushed health care workers to achieve what we once thought was impossible. In this episode of Carolina Business Review, Dr. Burks talks about the lessons learned from the pandemic and why he believes Medicaid expansion is vital for North Carolina. Panelists: Kevin J. Price, President and CEO, National Institute of Minority Economic Development Joe Waters, Co-Founder and CEO, Capita

Many Gen Zers and younger millennials are looking to buy their first homes, but there are many factors working against them. Todd Hall, the President and CEO of Truliant Federal Credit Union says the younger generations are "shocked" at the obstacles that are keeping them from becoming homeowners. We also discuss how some people were not prepared for the price hikes caused by inflation, a possible recession on the horizon, the midterm elections and gun control. Panelists: Anna Beavon Gravely, Executive Director, NCFREE Antjuan Seawright, Founder, CEO, Blueprint Strategy

Gun violence is a problem that keeps our leaders up at night. It’s just one of the many topics we discussed with a panel of Carolina mayors. They talk about about engaging members of the community to solve some of our most divisive issues. And while some think our economy may be headed for a recession, our mayors say planning and economic diversity make us uniquely positioned to weather a downturn. Other topics include: affordable housing and growth. Panelists: Mayor Vi Lyles, Charlotte, NC Mayor Dan Rickenmann, Columbia, SC Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, Raleigh, NC Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin, Florence, SC

Carolina Business Review was on location at the SC Ports Authority for a special episode on transportation and infrastructure. We talked to the new CEO Barbara Melvin and the newly retired CEO Jim Newsome about several issues facing the ports right now: the supply chain, the on-going labor dispute and cruise ship changes. Other panelists joining the dialogue: SC Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey SC Transportation Secretary Christy Hall SC Representative Bill Sandifer